Common Core State StandardL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: Video of a current news event is presented for discussion to encourage student participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the video. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.

News Video for: 07/29/2019

Russians targeted election systems in all 50 states, report finds

The Senate Intelligence Committee says Russia targeted election systems in all 50 U.S. states in 2016. The committee released its bipartisan report on election interference just a day after Robert Mueller testified that he was confident Russia would attempt to interfere in the 2020 elections. "It was not a single attempt. They are doing it as we sit here, and they expect to do it during the next campaign," said Mueller. The report said there was no evidence that votes or voter data were changed – but its insight into that aspect was limited.

Class discussion: Have the Russians succeeded in raising doubts about U.S. elections? Are you worried that the Russians or some other foreign power could corrupt our elections? Do you think the Russians changed the outcome of our 2016 presidential election? Why or why not? Do you think Russian hackers broke into our election computer systems and then did nothing to alter them? Are the states doing enough to safeguard our elections? Why do some U.S. Senate leaders oppose legislation to set strong election security rules and pay for upgrades?